davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

ance, became one of the cIeverest of
blind men. His ability to clean and re-
pair clocks, watches, musical instruments
and every article connected with
the business was truly marvellous, being
able to work as well as before. He could
do any repairs required even turning in
verges, etc. The only aid required In
taking to pieces and putting together
watch was unpinnig and pinning the hair
spring, which was impossible for blind
man to do, and which was done by moth
er, whom he taught to work at the bust
ness after his loss of sight. We general
ly had one hundred watches in the
shop for repairs, some of them being
brought from q distance of one hundred
to two hundred miles. Every watch he
knew by the touch, and every customer
by his voice. Having been first class
criketer, after his loss of sight he played
two single-wicket matches, both of which
he won. He could play cards, dominoes,
bagatelle, was a musician, and leader of
the Holbeach brass band. His early
death the 18th CT October, 1857, was part
ly attributed to the severe treatment
he had received for his eyes. My mother
and myself carried on the BUSINESS at
Holbeach until five years ago.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
Professional Beggars in Russia

1t may be assumed, from fairly relia-
BILE returns, that the number of profes-
siOnal beggars in Russia amounts to
$4,000 of which 100000 live absolutely
on casual charity, the remainder being
partly assisted by benevolent Institutions.
Among other reasons alleged for this ex-
tenslve mendicancy are drunkenness, the
religious meaning of alms-giving, COM
pulsory subdivision of peasants proper
ty, and laziness; and locally want of suffi-
cient land..on which to support family,
and poverty of the soil, are put forward.
In two districts of the Moscow govern
ment--namely, Bogoradsk and Were ia
fifty two villages, with productive soil
and legally divided among its ten thous-
and inhabitants, live by professional beg
ging. Their mode of procedure is as
follows: In autumn, as soon as the crops
are harvested and sold and, it is conse-
quently known where money exists,
bands of beggars of from ten to twenty
head, with five or ten carts, start to prey
upon the charity of the neig hborhood.
Some take off their shirts, and clothing
themselves in bits of burned fur, repre-
Esenting themselves as burned-out peas
ants; others make their children howl by
beating them; while occasionally, mon
Cbdl dSS-SbduCo 10 dSkcO 10 pay Ul6 DurI'
al fees of a suddenly deceased old man
who is represented by one of the band.
A common practice is to buy children
from the nurses at the founding hospi-
tails and artifcially MAIN them to excite
pity. Formerly clever beggar would
bring from 100 to 200 rubles back with
him, besides the increased value for sale
of his horse, who had fattened on charit-
able food. Competition has now reduced
this gain TO some 40 rubles. This scan
dalous mode of existence had its origin
in the remembrance of the war in the
early part of the century, when villages
were really burned, and the inhabitants
driven to beggary. Th9trsdition of the
liberal charity then bestowed still exists
in the district, and renders such outrag-
eous proceedings profitable. Within
these last few years continuous efforts
have succeeded in finding winter occupa-
ton for many of these professional beg
gars in wood cutting and saving.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
MADE BY VOLCANO ROCKS.
Description of a Wonderful Cavern in Cal
ifOrnia.


writer in The Lower Lake Bulletin
says: From the western slope of the
precipitous peaks on the south shore of
Thurston lake the little curl of smoke
seen rising, morning and evening, as
from campfire, gives rise to much spec
ulation. There, among the crevices of
the volcanic rocks, two huNdred feet
above the water is that curious cave,
known to but few even of our earliest pi
oneers; the entrance hidden among the
manzanitas and redbuds, its existence
was made known to hardy hunter only
by chance. Creeping along through the
uEderbrush, cold draft CT air from the
crevice of the adjacent rocks, is the first
notice anyone has of an underground
aperture; moving on with difficulty along
this opening, suddenly it widens out, and
the glimmering light battles with the
darkness in front of him. Lighting a
torch, one perceives that the black, OBJ
sidian rocks have been hurled together in
such shape as to form an immense
| room, the ceiling so lofty as to be hidden
| in Cimmerian darkness, whilst the torch
light, reflected and falling back from the
| jagged, shining points of the obsidian
ring, make the adventurer believe he is in
hall of diamonds.
The floor slopes gently down, and is
| covered with hard, white sand. Proceed
ing down to the back of this hall, tun-
| nel-like entryway is perceived, still lead
ing down, and the declivity is so steep as
to necessitate care in following it.
Passing this hallway, in its circuitous
course, at about fifty yards it narrows so
that but one person can tread it at
! time, then slowly widening out to the
right, one enters another large room,
quite warm, and of reddish-colored rock,
like jasper. The heat appears to come
in puffs, from longitudinal rift in the
floor of this apartment, about four feet
in width, of evident immense depth, and
down which the hoarse rumbling noises
of sudden thunder are heard. Across on
| the other side, the torchlight Pickering
discloses the still yawning, grand, awful,
mysterious and sloping downward in its
found hardy enoug h to leap the rift and
explore what may be beyond.
1t is said that around the outside of
the cave are found cartridge shells, re-
mains of fires, bones, cut wood, and every
indication of a continuous camp.
Who can it be, secreting himself in
this mysterious and dread spot? Ger
tainly no one would select such habita-
ton for pleasure, and if for other rea-
sons is it possible that some dread and
desperate criminal has here found a
place in which he can hide and cheat re-
tributive justice?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
The Welsh Language.
London Daily News.

The extent to which the Welsh Ian
guage is employed for literary purposes
among the Welsh is but little understood
in England, where it is very generally
supposed that it prevails more or less as
spoken language among illiterate Cam
brians, but plays little part in the world
of letters. 1t appears, however, that its
periodical literature is very extensive,
considering population. There are sew
enteen weekly newspapers published in
the vernacular in Wales, with a circula-
ton altogether of over 10000. There
is monthly Welsh magazine that can
boast of circulation of 81, 76O, and alto
gether the magazines published in the
vernacular In Wales score total of $780,
600 copies. A leading firm of publishers
in the principality are said to have laid
out sum of e18,00O in the production
of a single Welsh work, with fair pecuni-
airy results, and Welsh English diction-
airy now in course of production has
taken a half-a-guinea quartO volume of
four hundred pages to reach the end of
the first letter of the alphabet. That
says even larger volume for the copi-
BUSINESS of the Welsh language, but it is
not exactly encouraging for any enter
prising Englishman who uay find his
own litera ture insufficient and may there
fore contemplate an incursion into that
of Wales.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
SQUIBS.

Scientists say that the potato rot
comes once in ten years-every decayed
as it were.
AS rival of the ground hog, the
goosebone, the musk rat, the corn-husk,
and the pig with straw in its mouth,
Prof Virgins is failure.
"Pig pens close to the we'll or close to
the house," says the Farmers Friend,
"mean death" You bet, death to the
pig. It's pretty hard to locate the pen
so as to change this fatal Specification,
too.
Judge: Your best socialist is the rag
ged and tattered wretch who meets you
on the highway and says bitterly, "Give
m, me D J, monav- or I'll blow vnur brains
One day little Emma's mother rebuked
her quite sharply for not changing her
shoes. After moments reflection En-
ma said 81 wish you would be real dood
to me, mamma, fink you would like it
after you got used to it.
A well known clergyman in this city
has noticed that charity always grows
cold in the churches when controversy
gets hot.
Magnetist-'Ye waiter, am a mag
nCtist; would you like to see me tip the
tablet" Waiter-"No, sab, but if it's all
the same to you, sab, yer might tip de
waiter, sah.''
We learn from an exchange that a
train was run distance of thirty eight
miles through Texas one day last week
and was never robbed at all. It was
probably gravel train.
Office Boy Gentleman down stairs
with manuscript, SIR" Magazine Ed
itor-"Tell him to leave it with the clerk"
81 did, sir, but he wants to see YOU"
ssDoes his clothes fit him?'' "No, SIR"
"Pants bag at tho knees?" eyes, SIR"
admit him."
''Now, Mary Ann" said the teacher, ad-
dressing the foremost of the class in
mythology, 'who was it SUI ported the
world on his shoulders?" "It was Atlas,
ma'am." And who supported AtlasG"
''The book doesn't say, but I guess his
wife supported him."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
A Baptism of Water-And Kisses.

A great commotion was created on
Monday last by the baptism of young
Arabian in the Church of Francisco di
Paola at Naples. Omur Mahomet was
born in Massowah, is only 10 years cid,
aud was brought to Italy by Lieut.. Gal
lotti. No arrangements had been made
to maintain order, and there was Ger
tain amount of confusion and disorder.
On the conclusion the new Umberto,
by which name he was baptized, was TAX
en- into the sacristy. During the passage
young ladies and boys, and ladies even
older, threw themselves on the new young
Italian and kissed him-kisses which the
poor young fellow, half frightened:
turned with smiles. "Thus ended" say
the reporter, ''the miracle of his redemp
ton"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
A Blind Matchmaker.

The London Standard, having recently
made reference to the case of the late Mr..
Rippin, kown as the blind matchmaker of
Holbeach, has received the following note
from Annie Rippin, daughter of the de-
ceased: "My father, who was an excell-
ent workman, commenced business at
Holbeach, but three or four years after
ward caught severe cold in his eyes
which resulted in amaurosis, and although
under treatment of the leading oculists of
the day he became totally and hopelessly
blind at % years of age. Instead of be-
ing crushed by this misfortune, he, by
great and untiring energy and persever-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
THE PACIFIC:s HIDDEN TREASURE.
A feSSpT UIfut SUNK WIN rG.vvv,vvv-
Located.
San Francisco Alta

Located.
San Francisco Alta
Captain Gee, the old sailer who recent
ly discovered the wreck of the steamer
Brother Jonathan, which was lost on Ju
ly 3d. 1862, on a rock off Crescent City,
was seen yesterday by an Alta reporter.
Captain Gees first attempt to locate the
sunken steamer was made seven years
ago, when Wood IL Hilliard chartered
schooner and attempted to find the exact
scene of the wreck.
"But thoy got drunk" said the old sail
or, "snd of course did not succeed. At
terward, every summer, 1 attempted to
find the vessel. took two boats, each
with two men, and, loading my lines with
lead, dragged for four or five miles up
that portion of the coast. Two years ago
I succeeded in finding the vessel, but the
fog came down and prevented us taking
bearings, SO that the next year failed to
find her. Last September, however / re-
turned to my search, and after dragging
very carefully for two and half days
came across the wreck, which lies in
thirty three and half fathoms of water.
about two miles south of Northwest Seal
Rock, and two miles northeast of JOna-
than Rock, which was called after the
wreck.
"The wreck lies about 600 feet from,
Saddle Rock which is not down on the
chart, but is well known to fishermen.
At low water Their els about four feet OF
water on this rock, and at high tide ten
feet. She had evidently struck this rock
and slid off into deep water.
"Do you ever expect to get much treas
ure?" asked the reporter.
"Weli, don't know. 1t is thought
there were $2,00O,000 on board, and I be-
lieve that 100000 were in greenbacks,
at any rate I am going to try, though il
is hard work getting divers. They don't
like going down more than twenty faith
oms, the strain is too great"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
Only Once a Day.
Youths Companion.

Many years ago one the most famous.
elephants that travelled in this country
was "Old Columbus" During one OF his.
summer trips through Virginia he stop
ped at the town of D. In the neigh
boring town H, a boy, Familiarity called
Dave" and notorious for leadership in
all kinds of mischievous tricks, DETER
mined to show off before the other boys
at "Old Columbus" expense, and in
vited several of his companions to 90
with him.
Having come to. the elephants stabe,-
Dave gave him first candy, then cab,
and then finally cried: "Now, boysr' and
slipped piece of tobacco in his probos
els, intending to get out of danger amt
enjoy "Old Columbus" disgust and
anger.
But before he could move Columbus
seized him and whirled him upward
through the opening overhead against
the roof of the stable.
Unhurt by his unexpected "rise," Dave
dropped on the hay-mow. The other
boys below, supposing this to be the
sstrick" promised them, cried out in ad-
miration:
''Dave, Dave, do that again."
Dave, comfortably seated oat of harms
way, very earnestly answered:
mo, boys! l only do that trick once e
dayr'
coI1 6at6c raoo-&o1 -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

81 say, pa, listen: When freedom from
her mountain height unfurIed her banner
to the air. What do you cali freedom
sher' fort" queried the innocent little boy,
who was learning the piece to speak at
school. "Ycu are too young to under
stand. Wait till you get married my son."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

through Sorais' divine notes-''N leptha,
/ must speak with thee this nigAs; upon
my life must. Say me not nay; oh, say
me not nay!''
How can 1 speak with thee?" she an
swered, looking fixedly before her "Queens
are not like other people. am surround
ed and watched"
Listen, Nyieptha, thus. Twill be before
the statue of Rademas in the great hall at
midnight. have the countersign and can
pass in. Macumazahn will be there to
keep guard, and with him the Zulu Oh,
come, my Queen, deny me not"
ut is not seemly," she murmured, land
tomorrow"
Just then the music began to die in the
last wall of the refrain, and Sorais' slowly
turned her round
81 will be there" said Nyleptha, hur-
riedly; ''on thy life see that thou fail me
not"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

EXTENSIVE gold fields are reported to
have been discovered in Namaqua Land,
Cape Colony, South Africa.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21
FOR TWELVE MONTHS
THE PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY on rRAeg
CASES.
The Parties Sent 70 Jail-The People
Excited Politics in nor
folk County.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.l

fCorreepondouce OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
NORFOLK, May 90, 1887.
Tho Princes Anne trials have closed.
and the men engaged In the midnight muir
derous assault on the family OF MIR. u. r.
Ives because OF his position on tOe no.
fence question have been sent 10 laii ior
twelve months on the first indictments aud
sent on 10 the June term to be trleu on
other indictments. There are now thrPe
Of the six criminals In The woods ana
every cGort will be made 10 arrest them In
time for the June term. The outrage ha'
created considerable feeling in The county,
aud The people are determined that those
engaged In IT shall be punished.
Tie straighout Democratic ticket ~ Nor
folk county has been withdrawn. and the
contest Is now between the "People's
ticket "a mixture OF Democrats and Re-
pubIicans-au the unhappy Providence
Church Republican ticket. Nlthing ~
thought Of in The county but politics, and
the excitement runs high. 1t IS probable
the regular Republicans will be defeated.
The colorCd volunteer companies con-
tributed to the memorial-day expenses IN
Portsmouth. which called forth hand.
some acknowledgement from Stonew1ll
Camp.
Governor Lee was besieged with callers
during his stay here, and received 4 per-
feet ovation in the streets.
Lieutenant l.. W. Il. Waller, o! thls city,
who Is IN the Marine corps, left Yesterday
for .Iaran, " here lie will be stationed Tor
the next three years.
The commandant OF the nayy-vard, the
commandanr OF the Marine corps, and a
number Of officers OF the navy and from
Fortress Monroe were in the mem)riii pro-
cession yesterday. IL
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21
THE ROANOKE TRAGEDY.
The shooting Of Reynolds and Sui
eide Of Layelie.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dlspatch.l

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.1
ROANOKE, Va, May 10, 1887.
One Of the most terrible tragedies that
ever dseraced the annals OF our young
city occurred here last night. About
O'clock the sharp report OF pistol, fol-
lowed by another discharge OF duier sound,
was heard over SpOOner's drugstore on
Salem avenue, and soon an excited crowd
was rushing up the stairway leading to the
rooms where the firing had been heard. At
the head OF the staircase, lying on his back
in the last agOnies OF death, lay George
Layelle, young man OF this city. An
ugly pistol wound, from which the blood
was oozing slowly, was visible in his
right temple: but no weapon was
visible anywhere. A few feet away, in
room fronting on the street, lay Charles +.
Reynolds, moaning and grooming, with
wound from pistol-ball in the back OF his
head near the left ear. REYNOLDS VIE
stood over him screaming and wringing
Der hands, and everything in that and the
room adjoining was in the utmost con-
fusion. The police soon made their APP
pearance, and in a short time DR.. III. V.
Gray, the coroner, and jury were upon
the scene. The crowd was dispersed, and
after the body OF Layellc, who was now
dead, had been viewed by the jury the eX-
animation OF witnesses was entered upon.
From che evidence Il appears that Rey-
DOldS, who is employed as saloon keeper
Tor George Fell, just across the avenue, had
rot long been at home, and was sitting ODa
sofa resting himself. Layelle came up
stairs and knocked at the parlOr-dOOr. He
was asked to come IN and take seat, which
he did After sitting a few moments he
81 g1 IL to- into hn hall hs4
wanted TO see him minute. Reynolds
compiled with the request, and had been
here but short time when pistol shot
was heard. lie staggered into the plror,
saying: "GeOrge has shot me. Shut the
door; don't let him come in" Just
as the door was closed another shot was
fired, but it was not known until the crowd
from the street came up stairs that L1veile,
after firing one ball at Reynolds, had sent
another into his own BRAN. Reynolds was
struck Just behind the left ear, but up to
this time the bullet has not been found. tie
has never lost consciousness, aud gave a
cesr account Of the shooting to the coroner
and Jury. lie said Layelle had been drink
ing heavily for some days, and had threat
encd him yesterday because he imagined
that he (Reynolds) was an enemy Of hi'.
When they went into the hall LaYelle said,
" Charley, everybody Is down on me-" lie
said, ono, George, they are not" aud
turned to close the kitchen-dOOr. A. he did
80 the shot was fired that struck him.
When the undertaken took charge OF Ii
velle's remains a 32-calibre seven-sh0Oter,
with two chambers empty, was found I'M
der him. At this writing the cor0ner's
jury il still in session, but everybody be-
lieves it was case Of attempted murder
and suicide, caused byexcessiye drink.
j. W. -.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21

The authors Of the scheme will now y ris.
fer the battle ground 70 the ranks OF 'ne
Democratic party. and the coming stfe
convention will, we seriously appreheno,
be the scene Of bitter coutcSt, with the
reputation forces under the leadership OF
men shrcwd In intrigue, adroit In debate,
and who have once and again exhibited
their schismatic tendencies during The pro-
gress OF the debt controversy"
"Thc situation Is full OF menace. ana no
halfway policy will save the Democrats
from The dangers OF internal dissension an )
defeat a, the polls. All The wisdom aud a''
the courage the party contains should come
to the front now. The crisis cannot DC
paltered with nor postponed. The states
uanship and ability attributed to Mr. Bir'
bour can never find a better telG Tor exer.
else than the present moment offers; ana
unless they are displayed with promputuue
the opportunity will be lost, disorgan'za-
ton will be the alternative Of u campaign
under unworthy dictation and on disgrace
mi lines. and leading TO inevitable defeat a'
the hands Of opponents united, sangu'nc,
and having all the argument ana an ,n'
sentiment Of the situation rs potent aihF'
in the fight"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21

E1rYENABLE-STREET CHURCH
corner Of vensblo and Eighteenth streets.
Sunday school at $3.50 A. NJ. Preaching by Row.
Il. II. PITT at II 4. NJ. and atSP.M.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-21
a Clergyman Causes u Sensation


CHICAGO. May 20.-A Mems special from
Omaha, Neb., says: "Rey. w. o. Pearson
pr, ached the convention sermon OF the
Diocesan Council Of the Episcopal Church
last night and caused a sens ltion. He said
that attempts had been made in tie name Of
CathOlicliy to foist upon the Church the
doctrine OF Christ himself upon The altar In
bread and wine by those who fail TO see
that il ii were really true that Chris's body
and blood were upon the altar the worship
Of them would be a blasphemOus denial OF
the incarnation and an idolltry more awful
than any that could be conceived. Rev. j.
Williams, OF st. Barnabls church, Omaha,
withdrew, saying that the speaker had in.
suited the members Of the congregation by
branding as idolatrous points u belief held
by them as the most sacred features Of their
religious life. The utmost cOmmotIon pre-
walls among cburch-men."